>I would like to concur with those who have written recently about women who
have said they did not want to breastfeed, and changed their mind after the
birth of the baby.
>I have seen this happen a couple of times recently.  One woman had a prem
baby, about 34 weeks gestation, and was shown how to give "kangaroo care".
She noticed that her baby was actively seeking the breast, and asked if it
would be alright for her to try breastfeeding!

>After she had birthed her baby I asked her if she would like to hold him
skin to skin.  She did.  There was no discussion of feeding, but the baby
soon started his own effort to communicate his wishes.

I think what Joy has communicated is crucial to this "breastfeeding
decision."  I also have experienced moms who weren't planning to breastfeed,
but with baby on chest--skin to skin, something was awakened in her and she
wanted to feed the baby.  I have also seen moms who were intending to feed
their babies who went to bottles and it may have been not enough skin to skin.

We encourage skin to skin when there is a reluctant nurser but we probably
should be encouraging it with every feeding couple. For many of our mothers
becoming Mother is a tenuous process and even when feeding is going well, if
that is the only "skin" contact, Mom may "go away."  Then with the slightest
problem we hear that she has quit feeding.

So Kangaroo Care is important for the Mama Kangaroo too.

Patricia Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee
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